City 'send scouts' to watch Juventus defender

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has sent scouts to watch Juventus defender Alex Sandro in action against Atalanta tonight, according to Tutto Mercato Web.

The 26-year-old is rated as one of Europe’s most exciting left-backs and could fill what has been a problematic position for City for some time.

City have not spent money on a left-back since signing Gael Clichy for £10m in 2011.

15:20Ciaran Kelly

Pep backed to be a success

Middlesbrough boss Steve Agnew is ‘sure’ that Pep Guardiola will become successful at Manchester City.

I’ve admired Pep for many, many years, he said.

I used to watch and analyse his teams when he was at Barcelona. I’ve nothing but admiration for him.

I watched the Manchester United game last night and as a coach it’s just the same as the players - that’s my direct competition and it would be great to put one over him.

They (Barcelona) were just amazing, the way that they passed the ball. They were a possession-based team but with lots of creativity, lots of movement and talented, talented players that could score goals.

When you come into a different country it is different, and England’s different to Spain and different to Germany. He’s a top, top coach and I’m sure he will become successful at Manchester City.

14:50KEY EVENT

Torino boss confirms stance on Joe Hart

Joe Hart does not want to stay on loan at Torino and Manchester City do not want to loan him out for another season, according to boss Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Hart is a goalkeeper who has proved himself in great matches, he said.

I hope he can be decisive in the next games. [Daniele] Padelli? He will leave, we offered him a contract renewal but he declined.

Milinkovic-Savic? We are considering whether he is ready to play, and if it is necessary to act quickly and bring in another goalkeeper.

Everything, however, is tied to Milinkovic-Savic, Torino are not able to spend the money they need to buy Hart, it is not in the club’s policy.

I do not think that City want to loan him for another season, and I do not think Joe wants to stay if it’s only going to be on loan.

13:50Ciaran Kelly

The Life of Pep

Pep Guardiola may have asked ‘too much’ from his Manchester City players, according to former midfielder Frank Lampard.

I’m sure Pep Guardiola has learned more this year than in any other year of his management, he told talkSPORT.

At Barcelona, he had a great team – who were already playing the same style – but he enhanced it. [And at] Bayern Munich, he took on the same. Manchester City obviously have great players – and they’ve added great players – but he demands a lot from his players.

There’s a real intelligence factor. Every player needs to know how to move position, change position, play in different positions – and I think he’s asked a lot from them this year, and I think that might be the one thing he’ll look at this year: did I ask too much from this group?

13:31KEY EVENT

Pep 'plans' £250m summer spending spree

Pep Guardiola is planning a £250m summer spending spree to make Man City champions again, according to reports.

The Catalan will finish the season without a trophy for the first time in his career, with the Blues currently 13 points off leaders Chelsea in the Premier League.

After exiting the EFL Cup at the fourth round stage, City were knocked out of the Champions League by Monaco in February and lost their FA Cup semi-final to Arsenal last week.

And, according to Sky Sports , Guardiola is planning a massive summer overhaul of his squad - with six targets on his wishlist.

12:01Ciaran Kelly

Still the best

Pep Guardiola has been named as the best manager in the world by L’Equipe - despite his first trophy less season as a head coach.

11:57KEY EVENT

David Silva fitness update

Might have to put that return on ice

11:53KEY EVENT

Mourinho waits for Aguero in tunnel

Awkward.

11:27Ciaran Kelly

The skipper has a message for you

The Etihad comes up trumps - again

10:36Ciaran Kelly

Neville HAMMERS Bravo

Claudio Bravo did not need a stretcher for a calf strain after not doing ‘anything for 20, 25 minutes’, according to former Manchester United captain Gary Neville.

A stretcher for a calf strain... please. Oh come on, he said while commentating for Sky Sports.

He’d not done anything for 20, 25 minutes, he’d not been involved and then he’s leaped with his left leg for that catch from the last corner.

I’m not quite sure why there’s a stretcher on. It’s a calf strain. Am I missing something? You don’t need a stretcher on for a calf strain. Please.

He kicked the ball forward after that. Come on. I apologise if he hasn’t got a calf strain.

10:33Ciaran Kelly

City really did dominate

Manchester United had just 30.79% of possession in Thursday’s Manchester derby - the lowest possession figure the club have had in a league game since the data was first collected in 2003-04.

09:45Ciaran Kelly

City will bounce back

West Ham under-18s may encounter a wounded animal when they host Manchester City on Saturday - just three days after their FA Youth Cup final defeat.

It may be a good time or it may be a bad time [to play Man City]. It’s a great challenge for our boys, assistant manager Mark Phillips told the club’s website.

Manchester City are up there in the top two of youth football.

I know they were well beaten in the FA Youth Cup final but they’re still a very good side. Their confidence may be a little low and if we are to get on the front foot and get an early goal then maybe we could take something from the game.

09:42KEY EVENT

What Pep said to Michael Carrick

Pep Guardiola said ‘well played’ to Michael Carrick when he spoke to him at the final whistle of the Manchester derby, according to the Manchester United midfielder.

He said congratulations and well played, he told Sky Sports.

He’s obviously a terrific manager, he’s had success wherever he’s been and I have a lot of respect for him.

09:31KEY EVENT

City loanee set for club v country row?

Manchester City, Celtic and England will ‘come up with the best solution’ for Patrick Roberts involvement in the U20 World Cup, according to Brendan Rodgers.

England will announce their squad in May and I am sure there will be a discussion, he told Sky Sports.

We want him to be here so we will see how that goes over the coming weeks. It will be a sensible claim.

He is here on loan, but we respect the people at England, I know them well and we will have a conversation about it and hopefully it will fulfill the needs of both parties.

Pat knows there is a World Cup opportunity there for him, he has worked hard to be there. It is unfair to put the boy in that situation really. He has played a big part in what we have been doing.

We will come together and hopefully he will be here.

I am sure between Manchester City, England and ourselves we will come up with the best solution and that is ultimately what it is about, the best interests of Pat.